Chapter 31: The oceans escape

The following morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains like it was mocking me. I blinked against the brightness, my head heavy from a night of restless sleep. The maids were already moving quietly around the room, their faces blank, eyes avoiding mine. The air smelled of fresh lilies and perfume, everything perfect for a wedding day that felt like a nightmare.

The stylist and makeup artist stood ready with brushes and curling irons. Nancy was lounging on the couch, legs crossed, tapping her nails against the glass table with that smug grin she wore so well.

“Just look at us peasants waiting for Ms. Princess,” she said, her tone dripping with mock sweetness.

I shot her a glare but said nothing.

She tilted her head. “Uh, we’re waiting for you, you tramp.”

I refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. I went straight to the bathroom, turned on the tap, and let the cold water run. My reflection looked pale.

When I came out, the stylist immediately began curling my hair, whispering to the makeup artist about how pale I looked. “Big day, huh?” she said softly, but I couldn’t even fake a smile.

As soon as they were done, Nancy dragged me toward the door. “Let’s go, runaway bride,” she muttered .

The car ride was silent except for the hum of the tires on the road. Nancy kept checking her phone, probably texting Michael about how “obedient” I was being. When we arrived at the cliffside venue, the salty air hit me hard. The sky was clear, the ocean below glistened like glass but all I felt was dread.

Nancy helped me out of the car, squeezing my hand a little too tightly. “Try not to embarrass us,” she whispered before flashing a bright smile at everyone watching.

Michael’s mother was already there, standing tall in her pastel dress, her lips pressed tight as her eyes swept over me. She looked at me the way one might look at a stain on a white shirt.

The pastor began the ceremony. His voice was calm, reading from the small book in his hands, but I could barely hear him over the pounding of my heart. The guests looked at us with polite smiles. The security guards moved like shadows, circling the space.

The world blurred. I couldn’t breathe. And before I could think about what would happen next, my body acted on its own.

I turned, ran a few steps forward, and leapt.

The sound of people screaming faded as the cold water hit me like a thousand needles. The shock stole the air from my lungs. I fought to stay afloat, kicking, gasping but the dress dragged me down. My arms flailed, the waves pulling harder. The last thing I saw before everything went dark was the sky breaking into light above me.

When I woke up, everything was quiet except the sound of rustling leaves. My throat burned, and I coughed until my chest hurt. I was lying on damp sand surrounded by trees.

I forced myself up, every bone aching. My dress clung to me, heavy and cold. My shoes cut into my skin. I tore the bottom of the dress so I could move and snapped off the heels, turning them into makeshift flats.

I started walking, not even sure where I was going. The forest was dense, filled with the sound of distant birds and the whisper of wind and My stomach growled. When I found a small clearing, I decided to stop. My feet throbbed, and I needed rest. I gathered some dry leaves to use as a blanket and laid the torn pieces of my dress as a bed. My body screamed for food, so I forced myself to move again.

That’s when I saw it, a large crab climbing up a tree trunk. “You’ll have to do,” I muttered weakly. I picked up a rock, threw it, and it fell to the ground. I picked it up carefully, whispering, “Sorry, I don’t have a choice.”

Back at my small clearing, I tried to start a fire. I struck the stones together, but nothing happened.

I tried again. Still nothing. My hands shook from exhaustion. Tears filled my eyes, blurring my vision.

“Come on,” I whispered. “Please.”

I tried one more time and a tiny spark appeared. Then another. A small flame flickered, catching on the leaves. My heart leapt with relief. I cooked the crab slowly, the smell filling the air and I ate.

My body ached all over. Cramps twisted my stomach, it was that time of the month. I had no strength left. I rinsed my mouth with what little water I had from the sea and lay down on the torn dress.

The next thing I knew, someone was touching my arm gently.

“Miss… miss, are you okay?”

I opened my eyes slowly. A little boy was standing beside me, holding a stick like a sword. His hair was messy, his cheeks flushed from the sun.

I blinked. “Am I dreaming?”

He shook his head quickly. “No, you’re not dreaming. You look sick, aunty.”

I sat up slowly. “Please… I’m lost. I don’t know where I am. Can you help me?”

He nodded with determination. “Yes! Grandpa knows everything. He helps people who get lost. Follow me.”

I smiled faintly, tears welling in my eyes. “Thank you… what’s your name?”

“Sam,” he said proudly. “You walk slowly, okay? You look tired.”

He held my hand as we walked through the forest path. “Where are you from, aunty?” he asked.

“Far from here,” I said softly.

“Did you fall in the water?”

I chuckled weakly. “Something like that.”

After a few minutes, we reached a small wooden cabin surrounded by trees. Smoke came from the chimney. An old man came out, His expression turned from stern to concerned the moment he saw me.

“Sam! I told you not to wander off again—” He stopped mid-sentence. “Oh dear, what happened to her?”

Sam said. “She’s lost.”

The old man hurried forward. " come inside, miss.”

He helped me to a wooden chair. . “Here, drink this,” he said, handing me a glass of water. “You’re lucky my boy found you.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Where are you from?” he asked gently.

“I just need to call someone.”

“Of course. But eat something first.” He brought me a small bowl of soup.

“Thank you,” I said again, tears threatening to fall.

He smiled faintly.

After eating, I asked quietly, “Can I please borrow your phone?”

He nodded and handed me an old cellphone. My fingers trembled as I dialed Sean’s number.

It rang once, twice, then

“Sean,” I said, my voice shaking. “I don’t know exactly. I jumped into the ocean. But I woke up in a forest. An old man and his grandson helped me.”

He breathed hard. “You… you jumped? Rose, you could’ve died!”

“I know,” I whispered. “I had to.”

There was silence on the line for a moment. “Okay,” he said finally. “Don’t move. I’ll find you. Just stay inside.”

As I was about to hand back the phone, I heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. My body went cold.

“That’s them,” I whispered. “The people who held me hostage. Please, hide me.”

The old man didn’t hesitate. “Quickly, upstairs, into the attic.”

He led me up the small staircase and he closed the trapdoor just as heavy footsteps entered the cabin.

From above, I could hear Michael’s voice. “We’re looking for someone,” he said smoothly. “A woman. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

The old man’s voice was calm. “Just me and my boy here. Haven’t seen anyone.”

Michael’s tone darkened. “If you’re lying, old man, I’ll burn this place to the ground.”

My heart stopped. Sam whimpered softly downstairs, and the man’s voice hardened. “You will not threaten my home. Now leave.”

There was silence, then Michael muttered something and stormed out. I waited, holding my breath until I heard the car drive away.

The attic door creaked open, and the old man looked up at me. “He’s gone. You can come down now.”

I climbed down slowly, legs trembling. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Before he could answer, another car pulled into the driveway. My heart seized but this time, it was Sean.

He burst through the door, his face pale and desperate. “Rose?”

I stood there frozen. “Sean,” I breathed.

He ran to me, wrapping his arms around me so tightly I thought I’d melt.

I felt tears pour down my cheeks. “You found me…”

He turned to the old man. “Thank you, sir. You saved her life.”

The man smiled faintly. “Just did what anyone decent would do. ”

Sean nodded and reached into his pocket, placing money on the table, but the old man pushed it back. “Keep it. Her safety’s enough payment.”

Before leaving, I looked at Sam, who was peeking from behind the doorway. “Bye, Sam,” I said softly.

He grinned. “Bye, aunty!”

Sean guided me out, wrapping a blanket around my shoulders. I leaned into him, exhausted beyond words. As the car started moving, the trees blurred outside the window. The hum of the engine was soft, soothing.

I wanted to thank him, to say more, but my body was done fighting. My eyes grew heavy, and before I knew it, I was falling asleep in his arms.